The European Commission presented its work programme for the year 2021 on Monday 19 October. Unsurprisingly, this programme is deeply marked by two major European challenges: to strengthen the European Union’s action to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to build a Health Union in response to the health crisis linked to the coronavirus.
In connection with the debate on raising the EU’s climate target to 2030 (see EUROPE 12582/2), the Commission will present a ‘package 55’ of dedicated initiatives in the second quarter of 2021. Included here are: – the revision of the ETS emissions trading regime; – a WTO-compatible carbon border adjustment mechanism for the EU; – the revision of the ‘renewables’ and ‘energy efficiency’ directives and the ‘gas’ package; – the revision of European rules on energy taxation. Also expected is the initiative on CO2 for light vehicles (2nd quarter of 2021) and that relating to the development of post-Euro 6 standards (end of 2021).
Health Union. The lessons to be learned from the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic require the European Commission to redirect its work programme.
One example, scheduled for the end of 2021, is the initiative to establish a new Agency dedicated to biomedical research, which was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address. This new agency is reportedly inspired by the American BARDA, which specialised in epidemiological monitoring (see EUROPE 12561/1).
In the fourth quarter of 2021, the institution will present its initiative to create a European Health Data Area, as well as an evaluation of Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare in the light of the principles of better regulation (REFIT).
Several initiatives will directly address the digital sector, including data (third quarter) and a European electronic identity card (first quarter).
2021 will be the European Year of Rail (see EUROPE 12580/23). The Commission is preparing a number of initiatives in this respect which will be launched in the third quarter, including a revision of the Regulation on the European rail freight network.
On issues relating to fundamental democratic principles, the European institution announces an initiative against the abusive prosecution of journalists and rights defenders, which should be presented in the last quarter.
It should also be noted that the institution will present a legislative package concerning the fight against money laundering.
Regarding ‘internal policy’, the European Commission will launch, during the second half of the first half of the year, a package dedicated to the Schengen area of free movement of persons. The aim will be to learn, through legislative and non-legislative measures, from the tensions at the EU’s internal borders caused by the re-establishment of controls in response to the Covid-19.
The European Commission also intends to be active in the social field, with a presentation, as early as the first quarter, of a new action plan on the European pillar of social rights, or a legislative initiative on the working conditions of workers on the platforms.
As for industry, the Commission will present its newly presented update of the industrial strategy, which has already been partially obsolete due to the pandemic (see EUROPE 12561/8). It also maintained its action plan to strengthen synergies between the civil and military sectors for the space industry.
Finally, as regards external action, the institution plans to present in early 2021 a non-legislative initiative to renew the partnership with the southern neighbouring countries in the context of the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process (see EUROPE 12563/25).
To consult the work programme: https://bit.ly/35borSF (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens with the editors)